Auto Laundry News - June 2012

Industry Newsline

MOTIONS
AND PROMOTIONS

Michael White & Brian Staudenmaier

Elkridge, MD-based Unitec has announced the appointment of Michael White as director of strategic partnering and business development. He will be responsible for business and program development initiatives, working in collaboration with the company’s sales representatives and managing territories across the United States and Canada. Most of White’s career was devoted to Verifone Inc., a provider of electronic payment technologies. He holds a BS degree in business administration from Ohio University.

Brian Staudenmaier has joined California Scents, a manufacturer of air freshener products located in Orange County, CA, as vice president, sales. Staudenmaier has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, leading consumer-products companies.

Bill Baker, a seasoned car wash industry professional recently joined Coast Commercial Credit as regional vice
president. Baker has over 16 years experience working closely with car wash operators through distributors in both the tunnel and in-bay markets. He accumulated over five years of experience in finance prior to entering the car wash industry. Baker is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Denver, CO-based BayWatch Enterprises LLC, a provider of doors and monitoring systems, has hired Sandy Bass as president. Bass began his career in the petroleum industry. Most recently, he was corporate account manager for Ecolab’s vehicle care division. Prior to that, he spent eight years with Mark VII Equipment. Bass holds a BBA degree in marketing from Texas Tech University.

CAR WASH SHOW GROWS

The Car Wash Show,™the International Carwash Association’s annual event, took place at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas May 7-9, 2012. According to the association, preliminary data show that more than 5,700 individuals representing 7,000 car wash locations attended. Attendance at the show increased by 4 percent over the last two years’ figures.

The Car Wash Show 2013 will be held April 22-24, 2013 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. For the latest information, visit www.carwash.org.

ERC: NEW WEBSITE

ERC Wiping Products Inc. has announced the launch of its new website. With easy global navigation, more online shopping opportunities, and detailed industry and product descriptions, anyone who visits ERC’s website can find the exact rag, towel, or wiper they are looking for. Check it out at www.ercwipe.com.

CWONJ TOURS PA

The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey’s (CWONJ) 14th annual car wash tour on April 24 featured four Pennsylvania washes that have changed their business model to best accommodate their customer base and its needs. Fifty operators attended the tour. First stop was the Bethlehem market, Stroudsburg the last.

The first three washes on the tour are owned by Craig Stem. Stem, who operates Shammy Shine carwashes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, opened the doors to his William Penn Highway wash in Easton, his Linden Street wash in Bethlehem, and his Allentown Airport Road facility to the group. Stem has embraced the flex-serve wash concept and renovated his locations to accommodate the format. He has seen his volume rise and his customer experience improve.

The group also toured Sparkle Car Wash, owned by Kevin Detrick. This former full serve now operates as a flex-service wash that offers its customers several options including an exterior-only wash with spot-free drying; the opportunity to towel dry the vehicle with the wash’s towel exchange program; or customers may purchase an
express wax or full-serve treatment in Sparkle’s hand-finish area. The 100-foot tunnel can wash up to 110 cars per hour without any prepping.

The association’s next event is its 12th annual golf outing, June 11, at Olde York Country Club in Chesterfield. For more information visit www.cwonj.com or call (800) 287-6604.

CSI’s NEW SYSTEMS DIVISION

Cleaning Systems Inc. (CSI) of De Pere, WI, manufacturer of Lustra® Professional Car Care Products and DynaEdge® cleaning and protection products, has announced the formation of a new division for the development and manufacturing of solution application systems. The division, SAS™ Solution Application Systems, will explore new and advanced technologies for the application of cleaning and protection chemicals in the transportation industry.

SAS introduced their Mizer™ Solution Distribution System at The Car Wash Show in Las Vegas, held May 7-9. A new website, www.SAS-4.com, is now online with additional information about the Mizer.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Galaxy Associates was founded in 2002 by the legendary Cincinnati philanthropist and entrepreneur, Mel Fisher. DuBois and Galaxy are not only geographically close, but also share similar products and serve many of the same end markets. Galaxy’s three divisions — Galaxy Industrial, Galaxy Transportation Services, and Galaxy Pulp and Paper — offer a strong line of products and services focused on enhancing performance while addressing the evolving needs of customers with environmental, health, and safety concerns. This acquisition will significantly bolster the DuBois portfolio of Industrial, Transportation, and Pulp and Paper solutions and will directly assist Blendco and the DuBois Industrial Transportation Group as they continue to delve deeper into the large vehicle washing business.

“We are excited about the increased resources and products that this acquisition will bring DuBois and Blendco. The combination of Blendco, DuBois and Galaxy is helping us become one of the largest transportation chemical companies in the world,” said Brent McCurdy, managing director of Blendco Systems.

RHINO-MAT UPGRADES

In recent months, Clean World Distribution Inc. (CWD) has announced a series of upgrades. The company has incorporated a new credit card reader into the Rhino-Mat self-serve system. Working with Coinco, CWD has created a seamless interface between the Rhino-Mat System and Coinco’s credit card reader. In a further development, CWD has announced that all Rhino-Mat Auto Mat Wash & Dry systems have been approved to bear the ETL mark in both the United States and Canada.

NEW CONSULTANTS

Aaron Green and Billy Tillotson have announced the launch of their new consulting and sales business: Focused Carwash Solutions. Together, the two have over 25 years of experience operating and servicing car washes and are eager to help others build and run a successful car wash business of their own.

Services being offered include site selection, layouts, permits, financing, and construction. “You only get one chance to start your business. Make sure it is done right,” said Aaron Green.

Focused Carwash Solutions is headquartered in Denver, CO but works with clients across the nation and beyond. For more information visit www.focusedcarwash.com or call (303) 841-6606.